School dinners fail to meat standards

Primary schools on the Isle of Anglesey have complained to the local council, after a private contractor delivered foreign meat rather than British produce.

At least 11 primary schools on the island complained to Isle of Anglesey County Council when beef from Belgium was delivered instead of the expected meat from the British Isles by school meal catering specialist Eden Foodservice.

A council spokesperson said: "Complaints have been received regarding the origin of meat served in schools on the island. The council will investigate the issue and has already met with Eden Foodservice to discuss the matter. A client officer has been appointed by the authority to oversee the implementation of the school meals contract."

Based in Berkshire, Eden secured a three-year contract in August with the Isle of Anglesey County Council to provide educational catering services to the entire region, starting in September, making it the first private sector contractor to secure a Welsh local authority contract to supply schools.

"It is our policy to purchase such meat from the UK or Ireland wherever possible; however, there are occasions when the supply chains and market volumes mean our requirements have to be occasionally sourced from outside the UK."